Portugal and the power of mediocrity

[Cebwethe]

For a challenge, I decided to start a vanilla Portugal campaign, VH/VH, with the restriction of only being able to use militia units from cities; ie no castles, mercenaries, or cavalry, just foot soldiers.

To my considerable surprise, it has been remarkably successful! I managed to drive the Moors out of Spain with my starting forces, before sweeping northeast along the coast to Zaragosa, and then moved westward and decimated the Spanish with my stacks of cheap disposable militiamen.

By this point I was literally swimming in cash, and had little trouble bribing or defeating the aggressive French and Milanese on my borders. I had a healthy garrison of 12 spear militia in each city, a boisterous economy and only one major enemy within shouting distance.

I took Scotland and England with two full complements of militia, all experienced and well armed, led by my most capable nobles, and after participating in successful crusades against Toulouse and Tunis I had the pope well on side.

What is most surprising is that the AI doesn't rate my lowly militia as a threat, and does not rush to engage them when I advance, no matter how many i push through their lands with. While casualties run high, I can still overwhelm my enemies with endless waves of militia, and establish large garrisons to protect my holdings.

I have not moved further eastward yet, contenting myself with Spain, Great Britain and North Africa, so I do not know how I will fare against the more mobile armies of Hungary, Russia, Poland and Turkey.

Still, a fun game nonetheless, and definitely one of the richest empires I have commanded.

Has anyone else had success with such tactics?

[Silverheart]

I have never even tried such a tactic, and if I were to, I would probably do it with an italian faction.
Sounds like you have a good campaign going - kepp it up!
have you thought about "taking care" of Portugals natural enemies, the Spanish and the Moors? Taking the rest of of North Africa sounds like a logical way to continue this...

[Cebwethe]

I did push deep into Africa, and found the lucrative resources of Timbuktu to be worthwhile.

That said, the very high unrest, constant troubles with the locals, religious differences and the inconvenience of it taking 12 turns to get new governors there made it in my opinion not worth pursuing unless you are actually playing the Moors.

[Sulfurion Blackfyre]

Now throw in Aventuros, Jinetes, Almughavars, Lusitanian Javelinmen, Portuguese Arquebusiers, mix them up in one stack and you get one of the most powerful and underrated factions of the game.

[Il Medico]

I usually do this with Milan. Just Italian spear militia and Genoaese crossbow militia. (till I get broken lances that is. )

[Rodtuga]

Yeah, I don't get why Portugal is so underrated, Portugal and Spain ruled the seas and part of Europe for 200 from 1400 to 1600 till them destroy each other.
Still I only like to play with Weak factions just like you, hahah makes it realy hard.

[Cebwethe]

Portugal and Russia are my favourites, followed by Scotland and the Moors.

[thebigbenman]

Yes portugal can be insanely rich pretty easily. I'm deep into a Portugal game now, and get 20k a turn unless i'm spamming huge cathedrals.

I use a lot of militia as well, especially swordsmen militia, but also aventuros and gunpowder units. I recommend taking Africa up to egypt, build mines to get the most out of all that gold! Just keep building priests for each African settlement, they'll convert eventually, plus you'll have 75% of the college of cardinals if you play your cards right.

I do find it hard to imagine a portuguese game without jinetes... javilin-throwers and food are the Iberian specialties

[the new username]

Portugal can be awesomely rich in game if u develop the trade, but be careful, too much trade will raise the population of the settlement and if u cant afford new walls, u will need a new governor or low the taxes, this can be bad for ur income. its happening in my portugal campaing